About

Since 1981, Sundance Institute has evolved to become an internationally-recognized nonprofit organization that actively advances the work of risk-taking storytellers worldwide. Originally founded by Robert Redford in the mountains of Sundance, Utah, Sundance Institute has always provided a space for independent artists to explore their stories free from commercial and political pressures. By providing year-round creative and financial support for the development of original stories for the screen and stage, Sundance Institute remains committed to its mission to discover and develop independent artists and audiences across the globe.

Mission Statement

Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work.

THE FESTIVAL:

From applying to volunteer to booking your lodging early for big savings and perks, sundance.org has all the info you need to plan your trip to the Festival and how to navigate once you arrive.

For great deals on the widest selection of Festival lodging, click here.

Festival Insiders

Festival Insiders are volunteers who have been specially trained to help you navigate the Festival. Have questions about buying tickets? Where to catch a shuttle? Grab a cup of cocoa? Find a restroom? Festival Insiders have the answers. These friendly folks hang out on Main Street and at other Festival venues sporting wide smiles and "Ask Me" buttons.

Daily How to Fest Tours

Have lots of questions? Festival Insiders lead personalized "How to Fest" tours on Main Street. Free one-hour tours leave each day from the patio of the Sundance House Presented by HP at 10:00 a.m. from January 20 to January 28. No registration required.

Tips for Being Green at the Festival

Here are a few simple things you can do to support Sundance Institute and our sponsor community in our shared efforts to make the 2012 Sundance Film Festival greener.

Getting Around

A system of walking paths throughout Park City takes you between Festival venues so you can save precious energy spent fighting traffic. Or hop on the free Festival shuttle bus.

Recycling

You can easily recycle your aluminum, plastic, glass, and paper at even more recycling bins this year at all of our theatres, venues, and shuttle stops, and throughout Park City.

Using Less

Instead of picking up a second or third printed Film Guide, utilize Sundance Film Festival's interactive Online Film Guide which will launch in December. Also available in December for on-the-go Festival information, try our Sundance Film Festival iPhone app featuring the complete 2012 film schedule, venue and transportation mapping, exclusive videos, and more.

Reduce Energy Consumption

To help conserve energy, remember to lower the thermostat and turn off the lights when leaving your Festival accommodations.

Buying Green

Sundance Film Festival merchandise is repurposed, recycled, or reusable. In an effort to minimize our carbon footprint, we strive to support domestic manufacturers.

Closing Night Film

Awards Ceremony and Reception

The culmination of the Sundance Film Festival is the Awards Ceremony. The competition juries, a group of individuals from the worldwide film community with original and diverse points of view, select films from both the documentary and dramatic categories to receive a range of awards. Decided by Festivalgoers' ballots, Audience Awards are bestowed upon films in each of the Festival's four competition categories and NEXT.